David Ross has announced ambitious plans to build a new primary free school in the grounds of Havelock Academy.

The successful businessman and philanthropist, who has ploughed millions into Grimsby's educational system, announced his hopes for a new free school at the Holyoake Road academy during a visit to meet teachers, students and to tour around the school's new £750,000 David PJ Ross Sixth Form Centre.

Mr Ross, who heads up the David Ross Education Trust (DRET) which Havelock Academy is a part of, said: "A primary free school on the site would be really amazing because then you could have kids coming all the way through until they're 18.

David Ross, during his visit to the Havelock Academy, Grimsby, pictured with students after taking a look around the new David PJ Ross Sixth Form Centre. Also pictured is academy principal, Wendy Jackson, right. (Image: Rick Byrne)

"That would be an amazing thing to have on this campus because you've got all of the facilities, like the studios and the sports facilities so you just want kids to have more access to this site really.

"I'm not sure what the local authority would have to say about that but we'd deal with that later."

In March this year plans for a new primary free school for over 200 students in Scartho were revealed to help cope with the demand for school places when hundreds of new homes are built.

The proposals were put forward by the Healing Multi Academy Trust which announced a huge scheme to build and open a free school by September 2019.

And Mr Ross said he envisaged one in the grounds of Havelock Academy, which he said was already oversubscribed twice over this year.

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"I think every child should have opportunity to have the same great education that I enjoyed," he added.

"I went to St James School then North Somercotes. If you enjoy education, learning and you develop great friendships, as well as extra skills outside the classroom that's a great place to be."

Havelock Academy principal Wendy Jackson said: "Essentially without the Trust we wouldn't be where we are today.

"Havelock was set for closure before we became part of the Trust and it's gone from strength to strength with all the support, all the networking that's helping the leadership of the academy, the teachers and the students to thrive.

"When a child comes to Havelock they're part of a family."

What is a free school?

Free schools are not under control of local authorities

Free schools are funded by the government but aren’t run by the local council.

They are ‘all-ability’ schools, and so can’t use academic selection processes like a grammar school.

Free schools can also set their own pay and conditions for staff and they are also able to change the length of school terms and the school day.